Ironing board and automatically unfolding supporting legs therefor



Feb. 17, 1959 `2,873,543

A. P. LANTZ IRONING BOARD AND AUTGMATICALLY UNF'OLDING SUPPORTING LEGS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 13, 1954 FM 5 mi?? @a @f 157g yf a4 157 INVENTOR.

84 @MMM United States Paten-t Office v2,873,543 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 IRONING BOARD AND AUTOMATICALLY UN- FOLDING SUPPORTING LEGS THEREFOR lAlpha Perry Lantz, Washington,v DAC. Application January 13, 1954, Serial No. 403,690

9 Claims. (Cl. 38-121) The present invention relates to a simple and efficient ironing table, and more particularly to a light weight table of this type which may be constructed of light weight materials. The ironing table of this invention may be constructed wholly of light weight metal, or it may be constructed partly of such metal and partly of wood or other material.

An object of this invention is to provide an ironing table of the type described with automatically unfolding leg elements and having means for automatically adjusting the height of the table.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a locking means that may be adjusted to remain out of locking engagement with the table.

Still another object of this invention is the arrangement of the leg elements to accommodate a chair beneath the table when in use. l

A suitableform of the table is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein the same characters of reference indicate like elements throughout the several views, and which taken with the following specification constitute a` complete disclosure of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a bottom view of the ironing table with the leg elements in folded position;

Fig. la is a fragmentary perspective view of a guide* way and the detents;

Fig. lb is a fragmentary view on a larger scale showing the pivotal connection of the leg elements;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view yof the table in position for use, showing the upper or work surface of the table also showing a slight modification of certain parts;

Fig. 3 `is a fragmentary detailV sectionalV View of the tubular 'af-head and its cooperative locking means for the leg elements;

VFig. 4 is a view showing the vertical slots in the T-head, the substantially rectangular opening and the locking means;

Fig 5 is a fragmentary view showing the tubular T-head` structure hingedly connected to dat plates mounted in guides mounted on the lower surface of the table;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the underside of an ironing table partly constructed of wood, and

Fig. 7 is a section on the lines 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to Figs. 1 .and 2, the table 10, which may be for-med from a sheet of light weight metal, com prises a customary form of ironing table top 11 having a wide end 12, a narrow end 13, a front edge 14 and a rear edge 15. The table top 11 is provided with a plurality of rows 16 of slots l7, with the slots of the several rows alternately arranged longitudinally and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the table. These slots aid in reducing the weight of the table and in conducting heat away. A depending ange- 18 completely surrounds the perimeter of the table top` 1l.

At the larger end 12 of the talble top 11 the flange 18 is pressed upwardly and inwardly as at spaced points 19 and 20, and along the rear edge, which is the edge facing the viewer in Fig. 2, near the smaller end, there is a portion of the ange 1S pressed upwardly and inwardly toward the under side of the table, as at 21. The upwardly and inwardly pressed portions 19, 20 and 2l form gaps in the flange 1S for a purpose later to appear.

A pair of spaced guides 22, 23 are located on the under side of the table, intermediate the ends thereof and lextend longitudinally thereof. Strips 24, 25, 26 and 27 of reenforcing material extend longitudinally from the ends of the guideways 22 and 23 and are suitably fastened to the lower surface of the table top. The strips 24, 25, 26 and 27 are preferably twisted as shown in Fig. l to increase their rigidity. The guides 22 and 23 are identical and have flat bases 29 and downwardly extending sides 30 and inwardly turned flanges 31 to accommodate short llat slides 32, which are longitudinally movable in the guides 22 and 23`for a purposelater to appear.

The table top 11 is supported by a front leg element 33 and a rear leg element 34, respectively pivoted to the under side thereof. These leg elements are offset rearwardly adjacent the rear edge of the table, to provide room for la chair and to accommodate an operators knees beneath the table.

The front leg element 33, adjacent its upper-end, when in use, curves inwardly as at 35, then obliquely as at 36 toward the longitudinal central axis of the talble and terminates in a T-head 37 extending transversely under the table, and hingedly attached to the slides 32 by means `of staples or U-bolts 3S. The mid portion of this front leg 33 is straight as at 39.

The rear leg element 34 has a straight portion 4t) extending longitudinally of the table `adjacent the edge 15, and an upper end 4l which curves inwardly as at 42 and obliquely toward the mid point of the large end 12. This portion terminates in a T-head 43 hingedly connected transversely of the underside of the table top 11 by means of a pair of strips 44, 43 formed on the lange 18 and rolled about the T-head 43. The lower end of the leg element 34 terminates in a transversely bent portion` at 46 to form an elbow base element or foot 47 adapted to rest on a lloor.

Plates 43 space the tubular T-head 37 from the guides 22 and 23 to permit the slides 32 and the tubular T-head and front leg 33 to slide freely relative to the table top El. The lower end of the leg 33 curves forwardly as at 49 and extends obliquely forwardly and downwardly as at Sil to a connection adjacent the forward end of a tubular base element or foot 5l, which extends transversely under the table. The leg element 33 is branch-ed at its lower portion by having secured thereto at a point just above the curve 49 a branch` element 52 which may be riveted or spot welded as at 53. The branch element 52 is formed of flat metal, and is preferably twisted to increase its rigidity, and is secured at its lower end adjacent the rear end of the tubular base element or foot 5l.

When in folded position the twisted portion of the branch element S2 overlies the curved portion of the leg element 34. Though l show and describe the branch element 52 as being twisted, it may well be flat. Also in the legsfolded position, the lower end Sil of the leg element 33 and the branch element 52 lie in the gaps t9 and Ztl, respectively.

To increase the stability of the table, the tubular base element or foot 5l is provided with a pairl of tubular extensions 53' having caps 54. The inner end of each of the extensions 39 is provided with a pin S3 adapted to operate in a bayonet slot S6 in the base element or foot 51, the slots 56 being intermediate the lower ends or branched portions of the leg element 33.

The foot portion 47 of the leg element 33 is provided with a tubular extension 57 having a cap 58 at its outer end. The inner end of the extension 57 is provided with a pin 59 adapted to ride in a bayonet slot 60 provided in the foot element 47. When the leg elements are folded the pins 55, 59 in the extension elements are slid longitudinally in their respective slots 56 and 60 and are locked in the transverse portions of the bayonet slots.

A pair of inwardly bent anges 61 are bent inwardly and upwardly in the substantially tubular straight portions 39 and 4@ of the leg elements 33 and 34. These anges strengthen the leg elements 33 and 30 so that smaller tubing may be used than is presently needed for such purpose.

The structure whereby the leg elements automatically unfold will now be described. The leg elements 33 and 34 are pivotally interconnected near their mid portions by a pin or bolt 63, passing through suitable openings 64 in the leg elements. A spool 65 is placed about the pin or bolt 63 between the leg elements 33 and 34, and operates to maintain the leg elements in spaced relation. A torsion spring 66 is coiled one or more turns about the spool 65 and may have its ends suitably secured to the leg elements or it may have its ends 67, 68 xed in suitable openings in the leg elements. The torsion of the spring 66 is such that the leg elements unfold automatically when released from folded position, and are maintained in the position of adjusted table height by means of locking mechanism later to be described. The position of interconnection lies substantially in a plane perpendicular to the table adjacent the rear edge thereof.

Suitably secured to the curved portions 42 and 46 respectively of the leg element 34 are a pair of elbow members 70, 71 respectively. Each elbow has a longitudinal outwardly pressed center rib 72 to reenforce same.

The leg element 33 is reenforced by elbow members 73 and 74 respectively on the curved portions 35 and 49 respectively thereof. The elbow members 73 and 74 also have longitudinal center ribs 75 as seen in Fig. 2 on the elbow 73, to reenforce same. The elbow members 70, 71, 73 and 74 may be spot welded or riveted to the leg elements as indicated at 76.

As shown in Fig. 1, the elbow member 73 may be omitted, and a strap 77 may be bent over the tubular T-head 37 and suitably attached thereto as by spot weld or rivet 78, and extended to the straight portion 39 and welded or riveted thereto as at 79, to reenforce the leg element 33.

A pair of guide pins 80 are rigidly secured to the plates 48 to cooperate with the locking structure for the leg element 33 to permit the T -head to roll on the plates 48 as the leg elements fold and unfold.

A strip 81 is suitably secured to a flange 31 along the guideway 23 as shown in Figs. l and la, and is provided with a plurality of detents 82 to hold the leg elements in a plurality of adjusted positions.

A detent 83 is provided near one end of the guide 23 to lock the leg elements in folded position.

The means for locking the leg elements in proper position for height adjustment, includes the tubular T-head 37 heretofore described.

An elongated locking tube 84 having a closed inner end 95 is rotatably and slidably mounted in the tubular T-head 37 and has aneck 86 extending beyond the T-head 37 terminating in a transverse handle portion 87. A finger engaging .portion 88 is provided on the handle 87. The handle 87 normally lies near the side ange 18 at the forward side of the table top 11.

A combined tension and torsion spring 89 is located within one end of the tubular T-head 37. One end 90 of the spring 89 is connected to a loop 91 punched from the closed end 92 of the T-head 37, and the other end 93 is connected to a loop 94 punched from the closed end 95 of the locking member 84. i' i It is to be understood that rivets or other fastening means may be used in lieu of the loops 91 and 94.

Slots 37a are provided in the upper portion of the tubular T-head 37 extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the T-head 37 and register with openings 96 provided in the locking tube 84. The pins 80 on the plates 48 ride in the slots 37a and the openings 96 in the movements of the locking structure.

An abutment 97 struck outwardly from or otherwise suitably xed on the locking tube 84 is in alignment with the detents 82 and 83. The abutment or stop 97 operates within a substantially rectangular opening 98, in the tubular T-head 37, having front and rear edges, right and left ends. A notch or detent 99 is provided at the left end and is forwardly offset from the rear edge of the opening 98 and a tooth 100 is located on the rear edge adjacent the right end of the opening 98. When the abutment or stop 97 is forced against the rear edge of the opening 98, it is in position to engage a detent 82 or 83. When it is placed in the notch 99 it is held out of position to engage the detents 82 to permit the spring 66 to unfold the leg elements.

The locking means is held out of engagement with the detents 82, 83 by drawing the locking member forwardly and turning it to the left, then allowing it to move rearwardly to place the abutment 97, in the notch 99 of the opening 98. While the detent is thus held out of engagement with the detent 82, 83 the leg elements will be unfolded by action of the torsion spring 66. When the desired position is reached, the handle 87 is released and the combined tension and torsion of the spring 89 rotates the locking member 84 and moves the abutment 81 against the tooth 100 where the abutment 97 registers with a detent 82 to hold the table at the desired height. The table may be permitted to reach its maximum height, and the proper adjustment may be made by moving the handle 87 as above described and pressing downwardly on the table top until the desired height is reached whereupon release of the handle 87 locks the table in its adjusted position as described.

To fold the leg elements, the handle 87 is moved as described to release the abutment 97 from a detent 82 and downward pressure on the table folds the leg elements under the table top. When the leg elements have been moved to folded position, the abutment 97 is moved beyond the tooth 100 and the abutment 97 moves into engagement with the detent 83 and locks the leg elements in folded position.

The table in Fig. 6 may be made of wood or other suitable material. The lower surface of the table top 111 of the table is provided with guides equivalent to the guides 22, 23 heretofore described, only the guide 123 being shown. In this form of my invention no reenforcing strips, such as strips 24, 25, 26 and 27 are needed. The guideway 123 is riveted or otherwise suitably attached to the table 111 as at 123.

The rear leg element 134 and the front leg element 133 may be of wood or a combination of wood and metal. The upper portions of the leg elements 133 and 134 terminate in T-heads 137 and 143 respectively, such as those already described as dening the hinge joints of the leg elements 33 and 34. The upper portion 136 and 141 respectively of each leg element 133 and 134 is preferably of metal and they are respectively curved as described for the portions 35 and 49 respectively of the leg elements 33 and 34. The lower end of the leg element 133 terminates in an elbow foot member such as the foot member 47 of Fig. 2.

The central straight portion of the leg element 133 is connected by means of a pair of elbow members 170 to a lower leg portion extending obliquely fowardly to a connection with one end of a base or foot element 151. A third leg member or branch 152 is pivot-ally connected at its upper end with the leg elements 133 and 134 by means. Qf ,Piu or bolt 163, similar to the bolt 6.3 heretofore described. The lower end of the leg member 152 is connected to the other end of the base element 151. If the base element 151 be made of metal it will be like the base element 51 heretofore described. If the base element 151 be made of wood, extensions such as 53 would be omitted. The wood parts of the legv elements are secured to the metal parts by suitable bolts or rivets.

A pair of metal strips 144 and 145 are fastened to the table 111 at the larger end thereof, and are rolled around the T-head 143 to form a hinge for the leg element 134. A tubular T-head 137 is the equivalent of the T-head 37 and carries the locking means as described. One or more springs 166 are provided on the bolt 163 in the manner described in connection with the spring 66 on the bolt 63.

It is to be understood that modifications or substitutions of equivalents may be made within the skill of the art and the scope of the appended claims.

In the foregoing specification references to upper, lower, forward, rear, right or left, or any derivatives thereof relate to the positions relative to an operator at the table, who is positioned at the front or forward edge of the table, which is the lower edge as seen in Fig. 1 or the rear edge as seen in Fig. 2.

I claim:

l. In an ironing table including an elongated board having forward and rear edges, large and small ends, a supporting means for the table comprising a pair of pivotally interconnected leg elements positioned adjacent the rear edge of said table, said leg elements crossing near their mid-points and projecting downwardly below the table and in the direction of the ends thereof, said leg elements having substantially straight portions intermediate their ends, the upper ends of said leg elements curving upwardly and obliquely toward the 4central longitudinal axis of the table, the upper ends of the leg elements terminating in tubular T-heads extending transversely of the table, means for hingedly connecting the T-head of one leg element adjacent the larger end of the table; a pair of guides on the under surface of the table intermediate the ends thereof and terminating short of said ends and, extending longitudinally thereof, detent means extending along one guide, slides operable in said 1 guides, means hingedly connecting the second T-head to said slides, said leg elements being substantially cylindrical in cross section, one leg element terminating in an elbow foot portion extending transversely of the table, the lower portion of the second leg element extending downwardly obliquely below the board and terminating in a foot portion extending transversely of the table, said lower portion having a branch connection to the other end of the foot portion, locking means slidably and rotatably mounted in said second T-head for cooperating with said detent means.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the transverse foot portion and the elbow foot portion are each tubular and each has an extension slidably mounted therein.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a tubular member, combined torsion and tension spring means connected between said tubular member and said second T-head, said second T-head having apair of longitudinally spaced slots transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof, a pair of spaced openings in said tubular member registering with said slots, guide pins on said slides cooperating with said slots and said openings, a substantially rectangular opening in said second T-head, an abutment on said tubular member and operating in said rectangular opening, said abutment being engageable with said detentmeans to lock said second T-head in one of a plurality of positions.

4. The structure according to claim 3i, wherein one of the plurality of positions .is the legs-folded position.

5. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the rectangular opening includes retaining means for holding the abutment in either of two positions, wherein it is out of engagement with the detents or is in engagement with them.

6. The structure according to claim 1 including a torsion spring means connected to the leg elements at their point of pivotal interconnection for automatically unfolding said leg elements.

7. The structure according to claim l, wherein the table top and the substantially straight portions of the leg elements are of wood, the curved portions being of other material, and including metal elbow reenforcements interconnecting the substantially straight portions and the curved portions. i

8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the leg elements are substantially tubular and have longitudinally extending upwardly and inwardly turned flanges.

9. The structure according to claim l, wherein the branched portion of the second leg element is Y-shaped.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 628,712 Hoshour n July 11, 1899 1,161,407 Northrup Nov. 23, 1915 1,921,026 Garman Aug. 8, 1933 2,617,213 Smith Nov. 11, 1952 2,661,554 Siczkiewicz et al. Dec. 8, 1953 2,663,101 Olander Dec. 22, 1953 2,663,102 Olander Dec. 22, 1953 

